The original purpose of Valentine's Day?

Happy pre-Valentine's Day. I used to dislike this well-celebrated day, once upon a time. Purely because I assumed it was what everybody thought it was - a day based on self-appointed, shallow desires of the human kind to love and to be loved, that stem from the yearning of a Love that is much greater than just ourselves. It may be how many are accustomed to celebrating February 14, but finding a 'date' to hook up with on this festive evening is not the original purpose behind the day.

"St. Valentine was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius II. He was arrested and imprisoned upon being caught aiding and marrying young Christian couples who were under persecution by Claudius in Rome. Helping Christians at this time was considered a crime. It is said that Claudius took a liking to this prisoner, and understandably so. After all, Valentinus was attributed with healing a prison guard’s blind daughter. However Valentinus made one fatal mistake. He tried to convert the Emperor and as a consequence on February 14, 269 CE he was sentenced to death, beaten with clubs and stoned; when that failed to kill him he was then beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate. Valentinus was later made the patron Saint of love, young people and happy marriages.

St. Valentine is mostly remembered for his willingness to help those who were being persecuted – the outcast, marginalised and disadvantaged. He was known for his commitment to serve those with need. He was known for his willingness to live for the sake of others, even at the cost of his own life. Indeed his desire to see young love set free in marriage when the present authorities would not recognise their union was in itself an act of love. His willingness to share his faith in Christ with the Emperor, who ended up ordering his death, was motivated by love. And his willingness to do these things, knowing it could cost him his life, demonstrates love in the highest order."

This particular day being celebrated annually across the world began because of a man whose passion in life was to share the love of God with those around him. In present times, all I hear about is who is being who's Valentine, and who is single and alone on February 14. Sure, relationships between one another are to be celebrated, certainly. But to be miserable over your single status on one particular date far more than any other date, purely because of its celebrated title, is seen in my eyes as pretty well pointless.
Also, the love originally celebrated on this day, was selfless, life-giving, and everlasting.

This Valentine's Day, I'm not looking for some male figure to spoil me with chocolate and flowers. I'm not looking for some dinner date and a hand-in-hand stroll under the starry sky. As much as I like the taste of chocolate, the smell of flowers, stargazing and, well, food in general, I don't want Valentines Day, a day in memory of a martyr who sacrificed his life for the name of Jesus, to be about me. I don't want to be given; I want to be giving.
I think Jesus said it pretty well- "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."
His commandment is this: "Love each other in the same way I have loved you." (John 15:12&13)

So my personal aim for Valentine's Day tomorrow is about showing those around me that I love them and appreciate them greatly. And first and foremost, I want to remember the greatest Love that anyone could ever know; the love of Jesus Christ.